Vyrus 987

The Vyrus 987 C3 4V is a limited-production, Italian-built exotic motorcycle powered by a supercharged 1198cc Ducati V-twin engine that produces around 211 bhp, making it one of the most powerful production bikes in the world. It features a lightweight carbon fibre chassis, hub-center steering for exceptional handling, Öhlins suspension and Brembo brakes, all contributing to its track-focused performance. In India, it is positioned as a collector’s dream, with minimal service presence and a price tag close to ₹48 lakh ex-showroom. The riding position is aggressive and sporty, the build quality is exceptional, and the overall experience is closer to a race machine than a road bike. For Indian buyers, this is not a practical daily rider but a statement piece for those who want the ultimate in performance, exclusivity and Italian engineering.

The Vyrus 987 C3 4V is a limited-production, supercharged hyperbike built around a Ducati 1198-based 1198cc V-twin engine, producing around 186 bhp and 135 Nm of torque, making it one of the most powerful production motorcycles in the world. It uses a unique front swingarm instead of conventional forks, giving it exceptional stability and sharp steering, especially at high speeds and on track. The kerb weight is just about 154 kg, which, combined with the massive power, results in explosive acceleration and a top speed that competes with the fastest bikes globally. It comes with a 6-speed gearbox, dry multiplate clutch, twin 320mm front discs and a 210mm rear disc, along with a digital instrument cluster and a sporty, aggressive riding position. The bike is built for performance and exclusivity, not comfort or practicality, and is aimed at serious enthusiasts and collectors. In India, it is not officially available, so ownership means importing it as a CBU, which brings very high costs, limited service support and challenges with spare parts, making it a niche, high-risk, high-reward proposition for a very small set of buyers.

The Vyrus 987 C3 4V is not a motorcycle for the masses; it is a rare, handcrafted Italian masterpiece built for enthusiasts who value engineering brilliance over practicality. Riding this machine feels like piloting a race-bred exotic, with its Ducati 1198-derived 1198cc V-twin engine delivering brutal acceleration and razor-sharp handling thanks to its hub-center steering and carbon fibre construction. The build quality, Öhlins suspension and Brembo brakes justify its supercar-like positioning, but it demands serious skill and respect. In India, this bike is more of a collector’s item than a daily rider, with limited service support and an extremely niche ownership experience. For those who can afford it and truly appreciate its engineering pedigree, the Vyrus 987 C3 4V offers an unmatched, adrenaline-charged experience that very few production bikes can match on pure performance and exclusivity.

The Vyrus 987 C3 4V is not a motorcycle built for everyday practicality or mass appeal; it’s a track-focused, limited-run hyperbike that exists at the very edge of performance engineering. From behind the bars, the supercharged Ducati 1198-derived 1198cc V-twin delivers brutal, wheelie-inducing acceleration and a top speed that puts it among the fastest production bikes in the world. The unique front swingarm design replaces conventional forks, offering razor-sharp steering, immense stability at high speeds and confidence in hard cornering, though it takes time to adapt to the different front-end feel. The 154 kg kerb weight makes it incredibly agile, but the hard suspension and high seat position make it best suited for experienced riders who value track performance over comfort. It’s not a bike for city commutes or long highway stretches, and the lack of a proper launch plan in India means ownership will be extremely challenging in terms of service, spare parts and warranty support. For a serious collector or performance enthusiast who wants an exclusive, conversation-starting machine and can handle the ownership complexities, the 987 C3 4V is a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime proposition, but it’s far from a practical daily rider.

Prada heir Lorenzo Bertelli recently received a new Vyrus 987 powered by a Ducati 1198R engine, highlighting the exclusivity and custom nature of Vyrus motorcycles. This delivery underscores the brands commitment to bespoke bikes. I think this kind of personal touch is what sets Vyrus apart from mass-produced motorcycles.

Vtopia Design has launched a custom kit for the Vyrus 987, among other models, which includes advanced bodywork made from carbon fiber and nylon-carbon fiber composites. This kit elevates the Vyrus to a futuristic design level, using modern technologies like 3D modeling and 3D printing. The attention to detail here is impressive.

Vyrus attempted to enter the Moto2 category in 2011 with a prototype using a Honda CBR600RR engine, but the venture did not gain traction. Despite this, the company continues to innovate in the motorcycle world. I believe their willingness to experiment is admirable.

The MiniVirus, a pocketbike by Vyrus, was another innovative project that used the hub-center front steering system, although it was expensive and not widely produced. This shows Vyruss commitment to unique designs across various bike types. I think its interesting to see such technology in smaller bikes.

Ascanio Rodorigo, the owner of Vyrus, emphasizes the importance of detail and innovation in their motorcycles, comparing the experience to a Championship with a license plate. This philosophy drives the brands high standards. I believe this mindset is what makes Vyrus bikes so special.

The Vyrus 987 C3 4V is priced around ₹48 lakh ex-showroom in India, though the final on-road cost can touch ₹55 lakh or more depending on the city, insurance, registration and other local taxes. This makes it one of the most expensive production motorcycles available in the country, squarely aimed at ultra-high-net-worth individuals and serious collectors. Compared to mainstream superbikes, the price is astronomical, but it reflects the hand-built nature, limited production, carbon fibre construction and exotic components. Owning this bike in India means accepting minimal resale value predictability, very limited service network and high maintenance costs. For most riders, this kind of money would buy multiple performance bikes, but for someone who values exclusivity, Italian craftsmanship and a machine that’s often compared to a Bugatti Veyron on two wheels, the price becomes secondary to the experience and bragging rights.

The Vyrus 987 C3 4V is not officially launched or sold through dealerships in India, so there is no official ex-showroom or on-road price quoted by the manufacturer for the Indian market. However, based on global pricing and import estimates, the ex-showroom cost in India for such a limited, high-end hyperbike would likely start around ₹4.8 crore and could go higher depending on the exact specification, import duties, customs, registration and insurance. On-road pricing in major Indian cities would easily touch ₹5.5 crore or more, factoring in high luxury tax slabs, road tax, insurance premiums and registration charges for a vehicle of this value. This puts it in the same league as hypercars rather than regular superbikes. For an Indian buyer, this means importing it as a CBU (completely built unit) through a specialist agency, which adds complexity, long waiting times and very high running and maintenance costs. The lack of an official service network means all repairs and spare parts will need to be sourced from abroad, making ownership extremely expensive and logistically demanding. It’s a vehicle for deep-pocketed collectors, not for someone looking for value or hassle-free ownership.

The Vyrus 987 C3 4V is not built for fuel efficiency; in Indian riding conditions, expect very low mileage, likely in the range of 8–12 kmpl, especially if ridden hard. It runs on high-octane fuel and has a high-performance engine that guzzles petrol quickly, making running costs extremely high. For buyers concerned about mileage and daily running expenses, this is not a practical choice at all. It’s meant for occasional, spirited rides rather than daily commuting, so fuel cost should be a secondary consideration compared to passion and ownership experience.

The Vyrus 987 C3 4V is not designed with fuel efficiency in mind, so mileage in Indian conditions will be very low, likely in the range of 8-10 kmpl or even less, especially if ridden hard. The supercharged 1198cc Ducati engine is tuned for maximum power, not economy, and the aggressive riding style it encourages will burn fuel quickly. With a small fuel tank and high fuel consumption, frequent refuelling is expected, and the running cost per kilometre will be extremely high. For someone concerned about mileage and daily running costs, this is not a practical choice; it’s better suited as a weekend or track toy for those who can afford the high fuel and maintenance bills without worrying about economy.